Hair extensions: care and how long they last
Extensions last between two and six months depending on the attachment system, and the factor that most affects the health of the natural hair is not the method but keeping to the scheduled maintenance and having them removed correctly.
gelisted editorial team · Updated 15 August 2026
The short version
- A full fitting costs 300 € to 1,200 € depending on quantity and quality.
- Maintenance appointments cost 80 € to 250 €.
- Daily brushing must run from the ends upwards.
- Overrunning the maintenance interval is the main cause of breakage.
Hair is not damaged by wearing extensions. It is damaged by wearing them longer than the schedule allowed, and that date is known from day one.
The main systems
Tape in, fitted as a sandwich over a thin section. Keratin bonds, individual points sealed with heat. Micro rings, a metal cylinder holding without heat or adhesive. And weft sewn onto a braid. Each distributes tension differently and asks for its own routine, particularly around washing and brushing.
| System | Maintenance | Fitting cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tape in | every 6 to 8 weeks | 300 to 600 € |
| Keratin bonds | every 3 to 4 months | 500 to 1,200 € |
| Micro rings | every 2 to 3 months | 400 to 900 € |
| Sewn weft | every 6 to 10 weeks | 250 to 600 € |
| Maintenance appointment | per session | 80 to 250 € |
| Life of the hair supplied | 6 to 12 months | reusable |
| Professional removal | per session | 50 to 120 € |
The daily routine
Brushing 2 or 3 times a day with a soft bristle brush, always from the ends upwards while holding the roots with the other hand so as not to pull on the attachment points. Tie the hair in a loose braid before sleeping. And never go to bed with damp hair, because moisture at the join encourages tangling and, in adhesive systems, weakens the hold.
Washing and product
Wash 2 or 3 times a week at most, standing upright and without rubbing the attachment zone. Sulphate free shampoo, and conditioner only from mid lengths to ends, never at the roots or over the bonds. Dry the attachment area with a dryer on medium before it cools damp. And keep heavy oils and silicones away from the joins, because they slide the adhesive.
In summer, rinse with fresh water after sea or pool: the supplied hair receives no natural oil from the scalp and dries out faster than your own.
When to take them out
On the scheduled date, not when it is convenient. As the hair grows the attachment point moves away from the root and the tension concentrates along an ever longer section, which produces tangling high up and breakage. Stretching a maintenance appointment from 8 to 14 weeks is the most frequent cause of the damage later blamed on the system. Removal should always be done by a professional, at 50 € to 120 €.
Frequently asked
+How long do extensions last?
Two to six months depending on the system, with maintenance appointments in between.
+What do they cost?
Three hundred to one thousand two hundred euros to fit, plus 80 € to 250 € per maintenance session.
+How should they be brushed?
Two or three times a day from the ends upwards, holding the roots with the other hand.
+How often can I wash my hair?
Two or three times a week at most, standing upright and without rubbing the joins.
+What damages the natural hair?
Overrunning the maintenance interval, which concentrates tension and causes breakage.
Sources
- 1Ministerio de Sanidad, Gobierno de España (August 2026)
- 2Instituto Nacional de Estadística, INE (August 2026)